The Future of Religious Freedom Global Challenges [Paperback]

What is the status of religious freedom in the world today? What barriers does it face? What are the realistic prospects for improvement, and why does this matter?The Future of Religious Freedomaddresses these critical questions by assembling in one volume some of the best forward-thinking and empirical research on religious liberty, international legal trends, and societal dynamics. Top scholars from law, political science, diplomacy, sociology, and religion explore the status, value, and challenges of religious liberty around the world - with illustrations from a wide range of historical situations, contemporary contexts, and constitutional regimes.

With a thematic focus on the nature of religious markets and statecraft, the book surveys conditions in different regions, from the Muslim arc to Asia to Eastern Europe. It probes dynamics in both established and emerging democracies. It features up-to-date treatments of such pivotal nations as China, Russia, and Turkey, as well as illuminating new threats to conscience and religious autonomy in the United States and in kin countries of the English speaking world. Finally, it demonstrates the vital contribution of religious freedom to inter-religious harmony, thriving societies, and global security, and applies these findings to the momentous issue of advancing freedom and democracy in Islamic cultures.

Introduction: Advancing the First Freedom in the 21st Century
Allen D. Hertzke

The Status of Religious Freedom
Chapter 1, The Status of and Threats to International Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief
W. Cole Durham, Jr., Matthew K. Richards, and Donlu D. Thayer
Chapter 2, Leveraging Legal Protection for Religious Liberty
Angela Wu Howard
Chapter 3, Restrictions on Religion in the World: Measures and Implications
Brian J. Grim

Religious Markets, Pluralism, and the State
Chapter 4, Religious Pluralism, Political Incentives, and the Origins of Religilƒ'